Landmark Court case may see end to unfair bill charges

[popper]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

That is not how a discussion works you know.

You raise a point, YOU have to provide proof.

I could say the moon is made of cheese, but unless I can provide proof that it is,
I'm lying

i wouldnt say it quite like that Ben,not so much a liar i just put it down to your PR background, perhaps your just reading the results wrong

http://www.planetfusion.co.uk/~pignut/cheese.html
Is the moon made of green cheese?

(the scientific evidence)

....

BTW i did and do intend finding that URL for you , when im in the mood, and have the time if i remember later, dont worry, it does exist, like i keep telling you.

not everyone lies on the net, we might re-evaluate as time passes and facts become clearer, but im sure you try to do the same.

but if your that desperate to find that link then you could have probably found it yourself by now... or disproved it with another oposite ruling perhaps, eather way you would be wiser for it.

[Itshim]

If it is the same as cash or not in is not really the point if I said I will give a discount for payments in £5 notes but not £10 notes thats ,that you can give discounts on what ever you choose, But in the end it doesn`t matter as the case was lost.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by Itshim

If it is the same as cash or not in is not really the point if I said I will give a discount for payments in £5 notes but not £10 notes thats ,that you can give discounts on what ever you choose, But in the end it doesn`t matter as the case was lost.

I do believe that the solicitor who lost the case is appealing the courts decision.

[foreverwar]

Of course she is - she's a lawyer.

When in doubt (or even if not), appeal.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by popper

i wouldnt say it quite like that Ben,not so much a liar i just put it down to your PR background, perhaps your just reading the results wrong

What PR background?!

[foreverwar]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

What PR background?!

imho

[BenMcr]

Its a flipping insult is what it is

[Chrysalis]

Originally Posted by nomadking

If the businesses were just interested in making more money from non-DD paying customers, why are they encouraging people to pay by DD?

Banks are major shareholders in companies like BT so they then get indirect profits for when these DDs bounce etc.

In addition DD is a an automated payment so it probably does reduce the frequency of late and non payments.

However I think the charges are still unfair I believe the law should be the same as it is for bank charges where companies are not allowed to charge more than the actual cost of processing manual payments.

---------- Post added at 13:22 ---------- Previous post was at 13:18 ----------

Originally Posted by WHISTLED

I have and it aint £5.

But the £5 isnt to pay the payment processing costs, its because customers who pay DD pay on time every time in theory.. When not on DD there are additional costs to a business - Reminders, collections staff, care staff etc.

There is a profit in the charges though, a good one.

Essentially bad customer costs (bills written off etc.) are spread across everyone who doesnt pay by DD. Not right in my opinion but it seems this judge and probably some others feel this is fair.

His comment saying go elsewhere I considered rude, not very useful if all the avaliable competition does the same practices.

[sparky621]

Just an explaination as to why DD isn't always the best choice for everyone.
As an ex NTL BB customer I had no choice but to pay by DD. I do however pay other bills over the phone or via the web by debit card. All the utility companies charge extra for this. However, when I pay my credit card bill over the web by debit card I am not charged more than the outstanding balance. So, does it cost a utility company more than my credit card company to process my payments? I think not! The only true "incentive" for paying by DD is that there is no chance of being stung for late payment or having services cut/reduced, except for if the DD bounced. You are then hit with a double whammy..late payment charge by the card company etc and a bank charge for the bounced DD. As I am paid weekly this is why I don't like DD. The calling company can ask for the payment whenever they want.The date can often vary by several days. Extremely annoying when your pay goes in the next day. So I'd rather pay the extra than risk a £38 (per bounced transaction) bank charge. The speel for DD says you remain in control but I think you'll find its the banks and the recipients that are actually in control were DD is concerned.

[arcamalpha2004]

www.qas.co.uk/company/data-quality-news/direct_debits_pushing_out_cash_council_tax_payment s_504.htm

On the assumption that the cost to vm would be 99p they are making quite a packet!

[lostandconfused]

Originally Posted by arcamalpha2004

assumption snip

Being the key word... On the asumption that it costs £1,000 per transaction they are losing a shed load